Outcomes

Our group of neonatologists has been collecting outcome data since 1979, and the ongoing collection of this data is key to ensuring the best possible quality of life for infants we care for today and in the future

Overall Survival Rates

Although we can’t predict the health problems of any individual baby, the information here can be helpful for parents who are faced with the birth of an extremely preterm infant born between 23 and 26 weeks.

Survival Percentage

Developmental Outcomes

Compared to children born closer to their due date, premature babies have more health issues.

This graph shows the developmental outcome at close to 4 years of age.

Diagnosis-Specific Survival Rates

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) and Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) are a few of the more common complications extremely premature infants may face.

ROP refers to abnormal development of the blood vessels on the back of the eye and can affect visual development. NEC refers to bowel injury and can range from mild to life threatening. IVH refers to bleeding in vulnerable areas of the brain. PVL involves injury from low oxygen levels or decreased blood flow to vulnerable brain regions.

For each added week of gestation, the risk of these complications decreases.

Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Gestational age (in-weeks)

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Gestational age (in-weeks)

Grade 3/4 Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)

Gestational age (in-weeks)

Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)

Gestational age (in-weeks)

Our data for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is shared with the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) along with 503 hospitals. This network receives data on about 40,000 VLBW infants annually.